Match Discussion: Round 22 vs Penrith @ BlueBet Stadium, Penrith / Dharug

[League Unlimited News]

NRL 2024 - Round 22
Penrith Panthers v Newcastle Knights
BlueBet Stadium, Penrith / Dharug (TICKETS)

Sunday 4 August 2024
NRL kickoff 2pm
Broadcast live on Fox, Kayo.

1. Isaiah Iongi 2. Sunia Turuva 3. Izack Tago 4. Casey McLean 5. Brian To'o 6. Jarome Luai 7. Nathan Cleary 8. Moses Leota 9. Mitch Kenny 10. Lindsay Smith 11. Scott Sorensen 12. Liam Martin 13. Isaah Yeo 14. Trent Toelau 15. Matt Eisenhuth 16. Liam Henry 17. Mavrik Geyer 18. Luron Patea 19. Jack Cole 20. Brad Schneider 21. Asu Kepaoa 22. Luke Sommerton

Out: Daine Laurie (fullback), James Fisher-Harris (front row)
In: Isaiah Iongi (fullback), Matt Eisenhuth (bench), Luron Patea (reserve), Jack Cole (reserve), Brad Schneider (reserve), Asu Kepaoa (reserve), Luke Sommerton (reserve)
Changes: Lindsay Smith (bench to front row)

1. Kalyn Ponga 2. Fletcher Sharpe 3. Dane Gagai 4. Dylan Lucas 5. Greg Marzhew 6. Tyson Gamble 7. Phoenix Crossland 8. Daniel Saifiti 9. Jayden Brailey 10. Leo Thompson 11. Tyson Frizell 12. Kai Pearce-Paul 13. Adam Elliott 14. Jack Cogger 15. Jacob Saifiti 16. Jack Hetherington 17. Mathew Croker 18. Thomas Cant 19. Brodie Jones 20. Jackson Hastings 21. Will Pryce 22. Krystian Mapapalangi

Out: Bradman Best (centre)
In: Fletcher Sharpe (wing), Adam Elliott (lock), Jack Cogger (bench), Thomas Cant (reserve), Brodie Jones (reserve), Will Pryce (reserve)
Changes: Krystian Mapapalangi (wing to reserve), Jackson Hastings (halfback to reserve), Phoenix Crossland (hooker to halfback), Dylan Lucas (lock to centre), Jayden Brailey (bench to hooker)

Referee: Adam GEE
Sideline Officials: Matt NOYEN, Ziggy PRZEKLASA-ADAMSKI
Video Referee: Chris BUTLER

HEAD TO HEAD - 1988 - 2024​

	TOTAL	PENRITH	NEWCASTLE	DRAWN
ALL MATCHES	56	28	24	4
BLUEBET	27	11	13	3

LAST FIVE MEETINGS​

YEAR	ROUND	RESULT	VENUE	CROWD
2022	Round 3	PENRITH 38-20	Carrington	11253
2022	Round 14	PENRITH 42-6	McD. Jones	21332
2023	Round 7	PENRITH 16-15	McD. Jones	26084
2023	Round 17	PENRITH 20-12	BlueBet	18589
2024	Round 15	PENRITH 26-18	McD. Jones	27966

BIGGEST WINS​

YEAR	ROUND	RESULT	VENUE	CROWD
2001	Round 26	NEWCASTLE 60-18	Marathon	17791
2019	Round 25	PENRITH 54-10	Panthers Stadium	12027

NEXT FOUR MATCHES​

	Round 23	Round 24	Round 25	Round 26
PENRITH	PARRAMATTA (A)	MELBOURNE (H)	CANBERRA (A)	SOUTHS (H)
NEWCASTLE	W TIGERS (H)	CRONULLA (A)	SOUTHS (A)	GOLD COAST (H)

LAST THREE MATCHES​

	Round 19		Round 20		Round 21
PENRITH	(BYE)		DOLPHINS	W 28-26	ST GEO ILLA	W 46-10
NEWCASTLE	MANLY	L 6-44	BRISBANE	L 14-30	(BYE)

STATE OF PLAY: 2024 SEASON​

	POSITION	PLAYED	BYES	W-L-D	FOR	AGAINST
PENRITH	2nd	18	3	13-5-0	430	276
NEWCASTLE	11th	18	3	8-10-0	318	415

 

[Yosh]

Last day on the job for AOB?

 

[Mr_Knightside]

It really sucks knowing that we’re absolutely no hope in a matchup like this. Even if we play our best we still probably lose by a couple of tries. If we’re not at our best or near enough we will get pumped by 50…

 

[Woody90]

Last day on the job for AOB?

No way he goes anywhere, especially not this week. He’s on a very big contract.

More criticism will definitely come though if his game plan is to stay conservative and try and out-grind Penrith.

Might skip this one. We’re no chance - I’d usually still watch/support but I don’t even enjoy watching us play anymore with the negative football we play.

 

[Pleb]

This could be ugly. Cleary was on fire yesterday

 

[Walk On Home Boy]

Last day on the job for AOB?

Wishful thinking. I can already hear the excuses.

 

[Walk On Home Boy]

No way he goes anywhere, especially not this week. He’s on a very big contract.

More criticism will definitely come though if his game plan is to stay conservative and try and out-grind Penrith.

Might skip this one. We’re no chance - I’d usually still watch/support but I don’t even enjoy watching us play anymore with the negative football we play.

Yeah look, I can't blame anyone for skipping this one. I am filthy on the club myself and will be skipping this one for my own personal sanity. You're right, we're not even an enjoyable team to watch play and that's perhaps the worst part of all.

 

[Apey]

Knights 13+

 

[Knight Tales]

So much to look forward to this weekend!

 

[perverse]

No way he goes anywhere, especially not this week. He’s on a very big contract.

More criticism will definitely come though if his game plan is to stay conservative and try and out-grind Penrith.

Might skip this one. We’re no chance - I’d usually still watch/support but I don’t even enjoy watching us play anymore with the negative football we play.

I dunno what compells me to tune in... but I know i'll be here, and I suspect the rest of us will be too. Gotta get our lashes in for the week mate.

 

[ryan.a87]

The ever reliable Moley is reporting that Hastings will be dropped with Crossland training at 7 and Share training on the wing

 

[Knight Tales]

If that is accurate, the report re Jacko, then there is no way back for him. But it is Moley so it could be nothing and he and Jacko do not get on at all.

 

[Dr Dr Gimedanews]

The ever reliable Moley is reporting that Hastings will be dropped with Crossland training at 7 and Share training on the wing

poor Crossland, hope they decide on his position and leave him there.

While the halves have and are poor, how many halves combinations this year.....AOB is clutching at straws.

 

[PhilGould]

Mole just repeating what the bloke on the other forum said so take it as gospel

 

[Yosh]

Crossland our savior!!!

I think it's pretty good for a youngster like Crossland to get a go in different roles, especially since he was a half growing up. I think he will develop into a real classy 14.

One of my other pet peeves was that when we make a break no one is backing up must of the time. Other teams see their halves back up every break. Hopefully we see that from Crossland.

 

[perverse]

Hard to argue against it. Hastings has been getting worse and worse, and I can't help but feel he's thrown the toys out of the cot after being tapped on the shoulder.

Our halves are stuffed regardless, may as well throw a bloke out there who will take on the line and have a dig.

 

[Old dog]

Hastings out? Cogger not in? Crosslands the new 7?
So do we have a new 9 or is it Brailey? Bench will be interesting

 

[Knight Tales]

We all know what to expect from Phoenix. I hope he kills it. Not confident he will but he will at least have a red hot go.

 

[The Axe of Druss]

Crossland at 7 is not the answer

Everything he does well falls outside what you need from a halfback

 

[Woody90]

I’m in 2 minds about this.

We definitely know now that Crossland can only really play well in the middle.

At the same time though I’m not surprised Hastings was dropped and very happy the replacement wasn’t Cogger (AOB seems really off him which is not a bad thing).

I do feel a bit sorry for Hastings if he was mainly dropped for doing what he was coached to.

I like Sharpe training on the wing. Better than bloody bench hooker.